Artificial Grass Around a Pool

Can you put artificial grass around a pool?

Turf beside a pool goes down the same two ways as anywhere else: on a compacted base where there is soil, or glued to a concrete deck. Artificial Grass & Landscaping sells the turf, turf adhesive and seaming tape, but its catalog does not describe any turf as made for pools, so check your plans with your pool builder before you order.

• On soil beside the pool: the turf is laid on a compacted base, like a lawn (base preparation).
• On a concrete pool deck: the turf is glued down, with seaming tape where pieces meet (artificial grass on a patio).
• Either way, the catalog does not rate one turf above another for pools: choose by look, feel, price and roll width, as below.

Does artificial grass get hot around a pool?

In direct sun, artificial turf gets hot. Every Always Green lawn turf's catalog description lists “TurfCool Artificial Grass”, described as “Helps keep your turf 10-15 degrees cooler”. That is the product description's own claim, not a test of ours: the catalog does not say what it is compared with, and gives no temperature for the turf, wet or dry. Rinsing turf cools it down, and shade helps.

• More on TurfCool: TurfCool.
• Reflected sun can melt turf: the warranty does not cover “Melted or damaged turf caused from reflection by Low E windows or any other producer of sun magnification, localized heating or extreme heat”. Before you lay turf, look for windows and other glass that reflect sun onto the area (the warranty).
• Keep grills, fire pits and cigarettes off artificial grass.

Does the turf stand up to pool water?

The catalog does not say. It lists a polyurethane backing, Rhino Triple PP PU Backing, on every Always Green turf and describes the polyurethane backing as “More versatility, strength, flexibility and durability. Resistant to UV rays, chemicals and water”, but it does not say whether that covers chlorinated or salt-water pool water. Ask your pool builder before turf goes where pool water reaches it.

• The warranty does not cover “Improper cleaning methods and use of harsh, caustic chemicals”. The catalog does not say which pool chemicals, if any, count: ask before any go on or near the turf.
• The warranty also says: “It is the Buyer’s responsibility to determine the suitability of the product for the intended use and purpose”.
• More on the backing: Rhino backing.

How much turf does a strip beside a pool take?

Turf is cut to length from fixed roll widths, so a narrow strip orders the least turf in a roll about as wide as the strip: the rest of a wider roll is trimmed off but still paid for. A strip 7.5 ft wide along a 30 ft side of a pool is 225 sq ft; the turf alone, cut to length, is $335.25 to $1,244.10 before tax, depending on the turf.

• Cut 7.5 ft wide, so nothing is trimmed off this strip: Tuscany 54 oz and Newport 108 Oz.
• Order 2 ft extra in length: cuts are within 1 ft, not exact (the table uses the strip's own measurements).
• Seaming Tape C145 (12" x 330 ft): where two pieces meet, 330 ft to a roll, $129.00.
• Pickup at the Rancho Cordova warehouse is free. Local delivery is $279.00 for the first roll or cut piece and $99.00 for each additional one, with supplies riding along at no extra charge; curbside delivery to cities elsewhere in California, Nevada, Oregon, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico and Washington is $449.00 per roll, cut piece or item.
• Other shapes and sizes: how much artificial grass to order.

Can you glue artificial grass to a concrete pool deck?

The store's DC5 turf adhesive is described in its catalog as a “one part moisture cure urethane adhesive”, and concrete is on its list of surfaces; $79.95 for 1 gallon or $339.00 for 5 gallons. Its description does not mention pool decks, pool water or wet surfaces. How turf is glued to concrete is on the patio page, not repeated here.

Gluing turf to concrete, the seaming tape, and what the catalog does not say about the adhesive: artificial grass on a patio. The adhesive: 1 gallon, 5 gallons.

Which artificial grass should go beside a pool?

The catalog does not single out a turf for pools, so choose by look, feel, pile height and price, as for a lawn, and by roll width for a narrow strip. The 7 lawn turfs have piles from 1.34" (34 mm) to 2" (51 mm). Take samples home, lay them beside the pool in the sun, and feel them there.

Samples hang on the fence outside the warehouse at 3667 Omec Park Drive, Rancho Cordova, to see or take any time, or order free samples online ($14.95 shipping). Every lawn turf compared by face weight and price: artificial grass for your backyard.

Do you install artificial grass around pools?

We provide contractors: independent, third-party contractors install turf within 40 miles of Rancho Cordova, and Artificial Grass & Landscaping sells the turf and supplies. Talk to your pool builder about the plan as well, since the catalog does not rate any turf for pools.

We provide contractors: installation is done by independent, third-party contractors, not by Artificial Grass & Landscaping staff. Contractor services are available within 40 miles of the Rancho Cordova warehouse; further out, contact us first.

The Installation Cost Calculator prices a lawn laid on a new base of road base and decomposed granite, not turf glued to a deck, so contact us about a pool deck before you rely on its figures.

What this page can't tell you

• Whether the turf, its backing or the adhesive stands up to chlorinated or salt-water pool water: the catalog does not say.
• How slippery the turf is when wet: the catalog gives no slip resistance rating.
• How hot the turf gets, wet or dry: the catalog gives no surface temperature, only the TurfCool description quoted above.
• Whether turf suits your pool's coping, deck or equipment: check with your pool builder before you order.
• Whether your HOA has rules about turf: California artificial grass laws.

Questions and answers